Alberta Municipal Affairs, in partnership with the Local Government Administration Association and the Alberta Rural Municipal Administrators’ Association, will be continuing the annual Regional Training Sessions for 2017. This year is a bit of a departure from years past in that the focus of the sessions will be the upcoming changes to the Municipal Government Act (MGA). Additionally, Municipal Affairs’ Returning Officer Training will also be offered in conjunction with the training sessions. As always the sessions are open to all municipal administrators and staff with participation free of charge.

To ensure ample opportunity for training on the MGA changes, sessions will be expanded to nine locations for 2017. Furthermore, while Regional Training Sessions have traditionally been a single day of training, we have expanded to a second day to ensure ample time to review and discuss the upcoming changes. With the addition of the Returning Officer Training, round one sessions will span three full days.

Each day will run from 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., with registration starting at 8:00 a.m. As noted above, all sessions are free with lunch and refreshments provided. Register here. Round one sessions are being offered in the following communities:

Please note that detailed agendas for each day will be available on the registration site two weeks prior to the first session and will be forwarded to all registrants along with the session materials. Session materials will only be provided in electronic format and, in addition to being included in an email to registrants, will be available for download both at and following the sessions.

As you know, changing roads are ahead with the amendments to the MGA affecting all areas of responsibility for municipalities and municipal administrations. The Regional Training Sessions are designed to help you prepare for those changes and introduce you to the subject area experts who you can reach out to for advice while adapting to them.

Day One

- Update on the current status of the amendments and next steps.

- Overview and discussion of the new Inter-Municipal Collaboration Frameworks (ICFs).

- A review of all major changes to planning documents and processes including Municipal Development plans, reserves, off-site levies, inclusionary housing, the hierarchy of plans and decision making timelines.

Day Two

- Focused on Governance/Administration and Tax/Assessment, day two will inform participants of what’s new in regards to council requirements, administrative roles, municipal purposes, the role of the Ombudsman Office and financial planning requirements.

- In addition, the Assessment Services Branch of Municipal Affairs will be bring participants up to date on proposed changes respecting tax and assessment.

Day Three

- Returning Officer Training - The election process will be reviewed from start to finish, in accordance with the Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA), so that participants are fully prepared to properly conduct a local election.

Please note that you are free to sign up for Regional Training, Returning Officer Training or both, however it is important that each individual attending sign up for Regional Training Sessions and Returning Officer Training separately as organizers require accurate numbers for hosting and logistics.

Round two sessions will mirror round one, with the exception of Returning Officer Training which will have concluded in June.

Round 2

Session #6

August 22 – 23: Town of Drumheller – 80 Veterans Way - Badlands Community Facility

Registrants will receive an email confirmation once registered. We encourage CAOs to send those staff members they feel would benefit most but would advise that they register early as these sessions will likely fill up quickly.

Should you have any questions, please contact Travis Nosko or Chelsea Williamson from Municipal Affairs directly.